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In preparation for the jubilee weekend “Torrington 100” has set up some arts workshops that are especially suitable for carers and the cared for, including those living with and caring for those with dementia.

Artist Bridget Cordory has plenty of experience of working with people with varying degrees of memory loss and dementia and is very supportive. Fellow artist, Rose Hunter is local to Torrington and works with people with all levels of ability so no experience is necessary.

The art work created will be mounted and put in display on Thursday 2 June at The Plough where there will be an indoor event for all the people who have taken part in the workshops and their families. It will be a bit like a street party, with performances by young carers, anecdotes from adult carers, music and free refreshments.  

The dates are as follows: 

Thursday 28 April 10:30- 12:30 at The Plough Arts Centre – arts workshop with a jubilee theme– contact Annemarie Shillito to register your interest – 07595 171 451 

Thurs 12 May 10:30 -12:30 at Torrington Memory Café – contact Lorraine Pearce for details 07377 363 477

Friday 27 May 10:30-12:30 at The Plough Arts Centre – arts workshop with a jubilee theme- contact Annemarie Shillito to register your interest – 07595 171 451 

Thurs 2 June 10-12:30 Party for workshops participants and families at The Plough Arts Centre 

Mayor, Cllr Smith said “we fly the Ukrainian flag along with many other local towns as a demonstration of our support of the Ukrainians and horror of the continuing situation in their homeland” . A vigil was held in the town centre on Saturday 5th March register our support to the people of Ukraine.

Following the resignation of Cllr Insull, we currently have a vacancy for 1 Co-Opted Councillor to join the other Council Members of Great Torrington Town Council.

This role will give you an opportunity to get involved with a number of exciting projects and interests within the community of Great Torrington.  If you are passionate about the town, prepared to roll your sleeves up and get involved, have at least one of the qualifications below we would invite you to submit a written application outlining why you are interested in becoming a Town Councillor and what you believe you can bring to the role for consideration.    

1. I am registered as a local government elector for the parish; or
2. I have, during the whole of the twelve months preceding the date of my co-option, occupied as owner or tenant, land or other premises in the parish; or
3. My principal or only place of work during those twelve months has been in the parish; or
4. I have during the whole of the twelve months preceding the date of my co-option resided in the parish or within 3 miles of it.

Applications should be no more than one side of A4 paper.

For further information please see the Town Council’s website www.great-torrintontowncouncil.gov.uk.

Please forward applications to Great Torrington Town Council, Castle Hill, Great Torrington, EX38 8AA or by email to [email protected]  to be received no later than Thursday 31st March 2022

Karen Chapman, Town Clerk

The Town Council is pleased to announce that as part of a collaborative project we have been able to continue the lease of three existing defibrillators; namely the one at the Museum, Methodist Church and Old Bowling Green, for a further 4 years. In addition to these three, we have also managed to secure reinstatement of the machine on the Fire Station and installation of a new additional machine near the Tarka Trail, at Torrington Cycle Hire.

This whole exercise has been a fantastic opportunity to work collaboratively across the community. 

The Town Council, Cavaliers, Great Torrington Town and Lands, district councillors, Cllr Bright, Cllr Brown and Cllr Cottle-Hunkin along with our county councillor, Cllr Saywell have contributed to the funding needed for the extension of the lease of three defibrillators.  In addition, Devon, Somerset Fire and Rescue Service sponsored the re-instatement of the defibrillator on the wall of the Fire Station and Rotary Torrington sponsored the installation of a new defibrillator by the Tarka Trail at Torrington Cycle Hire.

We are currently in the process of liaising with South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust to arrange a joint training session hosted by the Methodist Church, in relation to use of a defibrillator as well as how to do CPR. 

It’s been a wonderful example of community working together to ensure ongoing availability and provision of these potentially life-saving devices.

Each year the Town Council gives an award to the person or persons whom it feels has provided local public service of the highest order.  Such service can be of many years’ duration or something extraordinary that was for a short time.

The essence is that the time given is voluntary and the people benefiting are within the parish of Great Torrington.

The Town Council therefore invites you to submit nominations for consideration.  Nominations should be accompanied by a written explanation as to why you believe the person or persons should be considered, what they have done, how long for and who has benefited.  Please limit explanations to no more than one side of A4 paper.

Please send your nominations to the Great Torrington Town Council, Castle Hill, Torrington, EX38 8AA or by email to [email protected], to be received no later than 12 Noon on Wednesday 23^rd March 2022.

The Town Council would like to thank all involved in the Christmas arrangements. The Cavaliers for erecting the Christmas lights and tree at the end of November and dismantling in January, as well as assisting with the “Light Switch On” on the 28th November.
The “Light Switch On” event was very well attended despite the cold and windy weather. It was lovely to hear the community singing carols in the Square, accompanied by our fabulous Town Band and supported by Ploughcapella. It was also very special to have the children from the Bluecoat School parade with their lanterns; and then, the switch on revealing dazzling lights for all to enjoy! All topped off with a hot drink hosted by the Town Hall, and mince pies provided by the Chamber of Trade.
It was a lovely community event, arranged and supported by community and the Town Council would like to thank all those involved, and the community for its support.

We are pleased to announce that the winner of the inaugural “12 Days of Christmas” Window Spotting competition is Maggie Mc Nicholas!  Maggie was presented with her prize by Cllr Cloke along with Rose Purcell from the Knit and Natter Group.  A big well done for all who took part this year and we look forward to running it again for Christmas 2022!

A huge “Thank you” to the Knit and Natter group for all of the hard work which went into knitting all 78 festive creations.  We are sure you agree, they all looked beautiful as they adorned the various shop windows.

Photo shows Cllr Cloak and Rose Purcell presenting Maggie with her certificate and prize alongside her brother Albie.

Proud to Care Devon has launched a campaign to recruit 2,000 more Care Workers urgently in the county, particularly in domiciliary care and care homes. The campaign is encouraging those looking for training opportunities to consider if their skills and values are suitable for a career in care.

Proud to Care is offering free one-to-one telephone support to find out if a job in care is right for you. You don’t necessarily need qualifications or previous experience. What’s important are your core skills, values and your attitudes towards working with people who need care.

Furthermore, thanks to the European Social Fund, there are free and flexible courses training offers available to support people to find the right role, or to take a step up, in health and social care. The short courses and workshops are being offered by partners across Devon including Learn Devon, City College Plymouth, South Devon College, Exeter College and Petroc.

The Find Your Calling campaign aims to mobilise an army of new care workers in Devon, encouraging people with the right values and core skills to apply. The campaign calls for people to register their interest by completing a quick online form at www.proudtocaredevon.org.uk/findyourcalling/.

Applicants will get a call back and the offer of free one-to-one support to find out if a job in care and health is right for them.

Click here for Job Description, closing date 22nd January 2022:-